Opinions & Interviews
Belarus considers drone strike on bus in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast act of terrorism
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MINSK, 18 June (BelTA) - Belarus considers the drone strike on a civilian bus in Bryansk Oblast of Russia an act of terrorism against the peaceful population, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the OSCE Andrei Dapkiunas made the statement during his speech at the OSCE Annual Security Review Conference (ASRC), BelTA learned from the Belarusian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The Belarusian delegation strongly condemns the attack on a bus carrying children, Andrei Dapkiunas emphasized. “We regard it as an act of terrorism against civilians. Belarus expects an immediate and responsible investigation of this tragedy. Two hours ago, the Belarusian president stated: ‘We are not rushing to make any conclusions, but we clearly state the fact that this is a drone of Ukrainian origin. This is a Ukrainian drone… If anyone is provoking Belarus and attempting to drag the country into war, it will end badly for them’,” the permanent representative said.
It was noted that Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires in Belarus Ivan Novitsky was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 18 June.
“In Russia’s Bryansk Region, a strike drone of Ukrainian origin attacked a civilian bus. The bus was transporting 44 citizens of Belarus from Rechitsa to Gelendzhik for vacation, 28 of them children. A children’s football team was on board. As a result of the attack, a Belarusian citizen was killed. We sincerely mourn the deceased. Eight people, six of them children, sustained injuries of varying severity. One child is still in intensive care,” Andrei Dapkiunas said.
“We urge OSCE participating states to give a principled assessment of what happened and to stop fueling an already explosive situation in the region by pumping it with weapons and provocative statements,” the diplomat stressed. “We propose that the OSCE begin to be used in accordance with the tasks for which the organization was created. We reaffirm Belarus’ firm position on the need for an early peaceful diplomatic settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.”
The permanent representative commented on several provocative statements voiced in the hall, especially from Belarus’ Baltic neighbors, on topics regarding which the Belarusian side has repeatedly and thoroughly provided explanations in the Permanent Council. “Esteemed colleagues, your calculations that you can prevail by cultivating an artificial image of an enemy, by relying on total demonization of your opponent, by casually attaching labels of hybrid threats, are a road to nowhere. It is regrettable to hear the regular, copy‑and‑paste statements of Western delegations about the need for a ‘just’ peace in Ukraine. The attribute ‘just’ is precisely what kills the possibility of achieving real peace in Ukraine. Let us try to abandon the use of empty, meaningless words,” the permanent representative urged.
“It is also regrettable to hear your futile hopes for the exhaustion and defeat of Russia, to hear absurd fantasies about reparations and tribunals. Do you seriously believe in the possibility of winning a proxy war against a nuclear superpower? You are simply playing with matches around a barrel of gasoline. We believe your approach is fundamentally detached from reality. We sincerely call on our esteemed Western colleagues to think seriously about the nature and specifics of a military conflict involving nuclear powers. A conflict that may become inevitable if one does not abandon this reckless war of attrition,” he added.
Andrei Dapkiunas also addressed those delegations that spoke in the hall about Belarus: “If you truly possess real civic courage, try speaking with Belarus not in the large hall. Try speaking with Belarus directly without conditions, blackmail, or threats. You cannot imagine how much can be achieved through a simple conversation based on respect for your interlocutor’s right, even if an opponent, to be heard.”
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